Handtool for closing foil food containers and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A handheld lid-closing tool and method of use thereof for closing a foil food container having a food-receiving compartment with a ledge extending around the periphery and a flexible flange extending around the peripheral edge of the ledge. The flange is reversibly foldable over a lid removably placed over the food-receiving compartment and the ledge. The handheld tool including a body member which is configured and dimensioned to be grasped by a user, having an outer surface; and at least one elongated, flange-closing channel formed in the outer surface of the body member. The channel has two open ends and two opposite spaced-apart channel walls which are connected together by a base wall to define a generally U-shaped cross section The channel has an outwardly flared broad portion on at least one of the first and second ends and an inner narrow portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/501,473, filed Jun. 27, 2011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and handtool for closing and opening conventional foil food containers. More particularly, the handtool and method according to the present invention folds a flexible flange which surrounds the periphery of a ledge on a conventional foil food container, so that the flange overlies a lid placed thereon, to close the container, and includes a tab to aid in opening the container.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Disposable food containers made of soft metal having a lid or cover which is placed thereon have become quite common for temporary storage of food, such as take-out from restaurants or for holding leftovers. The containers typically have a food-receiving compartment for holding the food and an upper ledge extending around the periphery thereof to hold a lid or cover placed thereon. Often times the lid is paper, plastic, metal or a combination thereof. The container also typically has a flexible flange extending around the peripheral edge of the ledge, which is reversibly foldable over the peripheral edge of a lid placed over the food-receiving compartment and resting on the ledge.

Typically, in order to close the container, the user places the lid over the food-receiving compartment and resting on the ledge and secures the lid onto the disposable container by manually bending or folding the flexible flange repeatedly through finger pressure along the periphery of the container, thus, sealing the lid between the flange and the ledge. To open the container, the flange is manually bent in the opposite direction to allow the lid to be removed from the container, to provide access to the food-receiving compartment.

However, disadvantageously, the user can become fatigued or become strained by having to manually secure the flange over the lid or by prying it open. This is especially so where the user has to repeatedly open or close containers, such as in a restaurant. Moreover, often time the edges of the flange are sharp and the user can injure or cut himself while opening or closing the container.

Various attempts and tools have been made to alleviate the above problems in closing these type of disposable containers. However, while the prior art discloses many types of tools or machines, so far as is known, none of these tools or methods of use therefor, resolve these problems in a simple, effective and highly advantageous manner, as in the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel handtool for opening and closing a foil food container and method of use thereof.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a handtool which protects the user from injury or strain when opening or closing a foil food container.

It is another object of the invention to decrease the opening or closing time of the container and decrease the degree of difficulty related to opening or closing such containers.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a handtool which is bi-directional and can be used in either direction and with either hand.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a handtool which creates a stronger seal on a foil flood container to prevent leakage or spillage.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a handheld tool which is simpler and less expensive to manufacture than the prior art assemblies.

Certain of the foregoing and related objects are readily attained according to the present invention by the provision of a handheld lid closing tool for closing a foil food container of the type having a food-receiving compartment with a ledge extending around the periphery thereof and with a flexible flange extending around the peripheral edge of the ledge, which flange is reversibly foldable over a lid removably placed over said food-receiving compartment and said ledge, comprising a body member which is configured and dimensioned to be grasped by a user, having an outer surface; and at least one elongated, flange-closing channel formed in said outer surface of said body member, wherein said channel has two open ends and two opposite spaced-apart channel walls which are connected together by a base wall to define a generally U-shaped cross section; and wherein said channel has an outwardly flared broad portion on at least one of said first and said second ends and an inner narrow portion.

Preferably, said channel has an outwardly flared broad portion on both of said first and second ends. It is also preferred that said channel walls are parabolic-shaped and each has a vertex and wherein said channel walls curve towards each other so that said vertex of each of said channel walls are disposed opposite each other generally adjacent to the center of said channel.

Desirably, said body member is generally rectangular and has first and second opposite ends and wherein said channel extends from said first end of said body member to said second end of said body member. Advantageously, said body member has two opposite lateral sides and two opposite end sides and wherein said two lateral sides are concave and said two end sides are convex.

In the preferred embodiment, said body member has a length in the range of approximately 2.75 inches to 3.25 inches, a height of approximately 0.7 of an inch and a width in the range of approximately 1.25 inches to 1.50 inches. It is also preferred that said channel has a depth of approximately 0.25 of an inch. Furthermore, it is preferable that said channel walls are disposed approximately 0.14 of an inch apart at said narrow portion and 0.5 of an inch apart at said broad portion.

In another preferred embodiment, said outer surface of said body member has two opposite faces and two flange-closing channels are formed in said two opposite faces.

Certain of the foregoing and related objects are also readily attained according to the present invention by the provision of a method for closing a foil food container, comprising the steps of providing a foil food container having a food-receiving compartment with a ledge extending around the periphery thereof and with a flexible flange extending around the peripheral edge of the ledge, which flange is reversibly foldable from a generally upright position to a generally horizontal position to overlie a lid removably placed over said food-receiving compartment and said ledge; providing a lid configured and dimensioned to overlie said food-receiving compartment and said ledge of said foil food container; providing a handheld lid closing tool comprising a body member which is configured and dimensioned to be grasped by a user, having an outer surface; and at least one elongated, flange-closing channel formed in said outer surface of said body member, wherein said channel has two open ends and two opposite spaced-apart channel walls which are connected together by a base wall to define a generally U-shaped cross section; and wherein said channel has an outwardly flared broad portion on at least one of said first and said second ends and an inner narrow portion; placing said lid on said foil food container to overlie said food-receiving compartment and said ledge, with said flange of said container in said generally upright position; inserting a portion of said flange in said broad portion of said channel; and moving said handheld tool along said peripheral edge of said ledge of said container with said portion of said flange inserted in said channel being moved from said broad portion of said channel towards said narrow portion said channel, to move said portion of said flange inserted in said channel from said upright position, to said folded position overlying said lid.

In the preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of moving said handheld tool along the entire peripheral edge of said ledge of said container to move the entire flange from said upright position to said folded position overlying said lid, to close said container. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, the method comprises the further step of removing said tool from said container after closing said container.

Preferably, said channel has an outwardly flared broad portion on both of said first and second ends. It is also preferable that said channel walls are parabolic-shaped and each has a vertex and wherein said channel walls curve towards each other so that said vertex of each of said channel walls are disposed opposite each other generally adjacent to the center of said channel. Desirably, said body member is generally rectangular and has first and second opposite ends and wherein said channel extends from said first end of said body member to said second end of said body member. It is also preferable that said body member has two opposite lateral sides and two opposite end sides and wherein said two lateral sides are concave and said two end sides are convex.

In the preferred embodiment, said body member has a length in the range of approximately 2.75 inches to 3.25 inches, a height of approximately 0.7 of an inch and a width in the range of approximately 1.25 inches to 1.50 inches. It is also preferable that said channel has a depth of approximately 0.25 of an inch. Furthermore, it is also preferred that said channel walls are disposed approximately 0.14 of an inch apart at said narrow portion and 0.5 of an inch apart at said broad portion.

Advantageously, said outer surface of said body member has two opposite faces and two flange-closing channels are formed in said two opposite faces. In an alternate embodiment, a second channel formed in said outer surface of said body member, wherein said body member has two opposite lateral sides and two opposite end sides and wherein said second channel extends from one of said end sides to one of said lateral sides, to form an upwardly projecting tab on a corner of said body member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, which disclose several embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front and left side perspective view of the handtool for closing a foil food container, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view thereof, the right side elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof, the bottom plan view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is front and left side perspective view of a second embodiment of a handtool for closing a foil food container, according to the present invention, having two channels formed on opposite sides thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the handtool of FIGS. 1-5 prior to being applied to a foil food container to close the same;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the handtool being applied to the flange on the foil food container, to move the flange from its upright position to its folded, horizontal position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a handtool showing a tab formed therein to open a closed foil food container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now in detail to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1-6, which illustrate the handtools 10, according to the present invention, which are used in the manner shown in FIGS. 7-9 to seal a lid 108 onto a conventional, disposable foil food container 100. In particular, as seen in FIGS. 7-9, container 100 and lid 108 are used in conjunction when removably joined together, to temporarily store food (not shown) therein, such as for example, take-out from a restaurant or leftovers. Typically, containers 100 are flexible and made of a soft metal material, such as aluminum. However, other suitable materials can be utilized.

As seen best in FIG. 9, container 100 includes a food-receiving compartment 102 to hold food (not shown) therein and an upper ledge 104 extending around the entire periphery thereof. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, container 100 also includes a flexible flange 106 extending around the peripheral edge of ledge 104. Flange 106 is repeatedly movable from a generally upright position, as seen in FIG. 7 to a folded, generally horizontal position, as seen in FIG. 9, and reversibly movable back to its upright position.

As seen best in FIGS. 7-9, lid 108 is used to close container 100 and seal food (not shown) therein. Typically, lid 108 is made of paper, plastic, metal or a combination thereof and can assume various configurations. However, other suitable materials can be utilized. To close container 100, with flange 106 in its generally upright position as seen in FIG. 7, lid 108 is placed on container 100 to overlie food-receiving compartment 102 and the peripheral edge of lid 108 resting on ledge 104.

The handheld lid-closing tool 10, according to the present invention, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, is utilized to more easily and safely seal lid 108 to container 100. Particularly, tool 10 is utilized in the manner, illustrated in FIG. 8, to manually fold flange 106 from its generally upright position shown in FIG. 7, to its generally horizontal position shown in FIG. 9, so that flange 106 overlies the peripheral edge of lid 108 and ledge 104, to in turn, close container 100.

As seen in FIGS. 1-5, tool 10 comprises a body member 20 which is configured and dimensioned to be grasped by a user as seen in FIG. 7, in either their right hand or left hand. Preferably, as seen best in FIG. 2, body member 20 is generally rectangular and has two opposite concave lateral sides 24 and two opposite convex end sides 26, to create a more ergonomic grip and aid the user in grasping the tool. However, other suitable shapes and configurations are possible.

As shown best in FIGS. 1 and 2, tool 10 also includes at least one elongated, flange-closing channel 30 formed in body member 20 which extends the length of the body member 20. Channel 30 has two open ends 32 and 34 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and two opposite spaced-apart channel walls 36 which are connected together by a base wall 38, to define a generally U-shaped cross section, as seen in FIG. 3. Preferably, as seen in FIG. 1, body member 20 has a first end 25 and second opposite end 27 and channel 30 extends from first end 25 of body member 20 to second end 27 of body member 20.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, channel 30 has an outwardly flared broad portion 31 on at least one of first and second ends 32, 34 and an inner narrow portion 33. In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, channel 30 has an outwardly flared broad portion 31 on both of its first and second ends 32, 34, so that the tool can be used in either direction and by persons that are left-handed or right-handed.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, channel walls 30 are continuously, decreasingly spaced-apart from broad portion 31 to narrow portion 33. In other words, channel 30 is widest at ends 32 and/or 34 and gradually narrows inwardly to narrow portion 33. The steadily inwardly decreasing width of channel 30 is used to fold flange 106 from its generally upright position, to its folded, generally horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 8. In the preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-6, channel walls 36 are parabolic-shaped and each has a vertex 35. As seen in FIG. 1, channel walls 36 curve towards each other so that vertex 35 of each of channel walls 36 are disposed opposite each other generally adjacent to the center of channel 30 and the ends 32 and 34 are the widest portion of channel 30. However, it can be appreciated that the configuration and curvature of channel walls 36 can be modified so long as channel 30 has a broad end position and an inner narrow portion.

It is preferable that body member 20 has a length in the range of approximately 2.75 inches to 3.25 inches, a height of approximately 0.7 of an inch and a width in the range of approximately 1.25 inches to 1.50 inches. Channel 30 has a depth of approximately 0.25 of an inch and channel walls 36 are disposed approximately 0.14 of an inch apart at narrow portion 33 and 0.5 of an inch apart at broad portion 31. These dimensions can accommodate containers of various sizes, however, other suitable dimensions can be utilized to accommodate different size containers.

In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, body member 20 has two opposite faces 21 and 23 and a flange-closing channel 30 is formed in each of the two opposite faces 21 and 23. The channels can be of the same dimensions or different dimensions in order to close containers of different sizes. Where only one channel 30 is formed in body member 20, indicia (not shown) can be imprinted or placed on the face opposite of channel 30, such as company logos or other advertising or promotional materials.

In use, as seen in FIGS. 7-9, in order to affix lid 108 to container 100 to close the container 100, food is placed in food-receiving compartment (not shown) and lid 108 is placed on container 100 to overlie food-receiving compartment 102, seen best in FIG. 7. Particularly, lid 108 is arranged so that it is peripheral edge is resting on ledge 104, when flange 106 in its generally upright position, shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a portion of flange 106 is inserted into broad portion 31 of channel 30 of tool 10. When tool 10 includes a broad portion 31 on both ends 32 and 34 of channel 30, either end may be utilized to receive a portion of flange 106, and thus, the tool is bi-directional. As shown in FIG. 8, tool 10 is moved along the peripheral edge of ledge 104 of container 100, at a perpendicular angle, with the portion of flange 106 which has been inserted in channel 30, being guided from broad portion 31 of channel 30, inwardly towards narrow portion 33 of channel 30. The motion is similar to the action of swiping a credit card.

As shown in FIG. 8, moving a portion of flange 106 from broad portion 31 to narrow portion 33 and, in turn, the steadily decreasing distance between channel walls 36, manually moves flange 106 from its generally upright position, to its folded, generally horizontal position overlying the peripheral edge of lid 108. In other words, the portion of flange 106 inserted into the wide opening 31 of channel 30 is displaced approximately 90 degrees from its upright position to its folded, horizontal position, as it is forced from the widest, broad portion 31 of channel 30 to the narrow portion 33. Once flange 106 is in its folded position, as seen in FIG. 9, the peripheral edge of lid 108 is sandwiched between ledge 104 and flange 106, to secure lid 108 to container 100.

It is preferable that tool 10 is moved continuously along the entire peripheral edge of ledge 104 of container 100 to move the entire flange 106 from its upright position to its folded position overlying lid 108, to close container 100. After the lid 108 is secured to container 100, tool 10 is removed from container 100.

To open container 100, flange 106 is bent upwardly from its generally horizontal position, to its generally upright position, to allow lid 108 to be removed, thus, providing access to food-receiving compartment 102. To aid the user in opening the container 100, optionally tool 10 is formed with a lid-opening tab 40, as seen in FIG. 10. Preferably, tab 40 is formed on the opposite side of tool 10 from channel 30. In particular, a second channel 42 is formed in body member 20 which extends from lateral side 24 to end side 26, to form an upwardly projecting generally, triangular-shaped tab 40 on a corner 46 of tool 10. In use, tab 40 is inserted between lid 108 and flange 106, when flange 106 is in its folded, generally horizontal position, in order to bend flange 106 from its folded, generally horizontal position to its generally upright position. Tool 10 is moved along the entire peripheral edge of container 100 with tab 44 disposed between flange 106 and lid 108, to move the entire flange 106 into its upright position, to allow for removal of lid 108 from container 100.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the prior art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other modifications could be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, while the dimensions of the tool can accommodate a variety of containers of different sizes, the dimensions can be modified, as needed, to suit the dimensions of a particular container.

Additionally, while the tool has been illustrated as being generally rectangular in shape, the shape can be modified, so long as it has a channel formed therein which extends through an entire length of the body. Moreover, the exact configuration of the channel can be modified so long as it has a broad outer region and an inner narrow region. 

1. A handheld lid-closing tool for closing a foil food container of the type having a food-receiving compartment with a ledge extending around the periphery thereof and with a flexible flange extending around the peripheral edge of the ledge, which flange is reversibly foldable over a lid removably placed over said food-receiving compartment and said ledge, comprising: a body member which is configured and dimensioned to be grasped by a user, having an outer surface; and at least one elongated, flange-closing channel formed in said outer surface of said body member, wherein said channel has two open ends and two opposite spaced-apart channel walls which are connected together by a base wall to define a generally U-shaped cross section; and wherein said channel has an outwardly flared broad portion on at least one of said first and said second ends and an inner narrow portion.
 2. The handheld tool according to claim 1, wherein: said channel has an outwardly flared broad portion on both of said first and second ends.
 3. The handheld tool according to claim 1, wherein: said channel walls are parabolic-shaped and each has a vertex and wherein said channel walls curve towards each other so that said vertex of each of said channel walls are disposed opposite each other generally adjacent to the center of said channel.
 4. The handheld tool according to claim 1, wherein: said body member is generally rectangular and has first and second opposite ends and wherein said channel extends from said first end of said body member to said second end of said body member.
 5. The handheld tool according to claim 1, wherein: said body member has two opposite lateral sides and two opposite end sides and wherein said two lateral sides are concave and said two end sides are convex.
 6. The handheld tool according to claim 1, wherein: said body member has a length in the range of approximately 2.75 inches to 3.25 inches, a height of approximately 0.7 of an inch and a width in the range of approximately 1.25 inches to 1.50 inches.
 7. The handheld tool according to claim 1, wherein: said channel has a depth of approximately 0.25 of an inch.
 8. The handheld tool according to claim 1, wherein: said channel walls are disposed approximately 0.14 of an inch apart at said narrow portion and 0.5 of an inch apart at said broad portion.
 9. The handheld tool according to claim 1, wherein: said outer surface of said body member has two opposite faces and two flange-closing channels are formed in said two opposite faces.
 10. A method for closing a foil food container, comprising the steps of: providing a foil food container having a food-receiving compartment with a ledge extending around the periphery thereof and with a flexible flange extending around the peripheral edge of the ledge, which flange is reversibly foldable from a generally upright position to a generally horizontal position to overlie a lid removably placed over said food-receiving compartment and said ledge; providing a lid configured and dimensioned to overlie said food-receiving compartment and said ledge of said foil food container; providing a handheld lid-closing tool comprising a body member which is configured and dimensioned to be grasped by a user, having an outer surface; and at least one elongated, flange-closing channel formed in said outer surface of said body member, wherein said channel has two open ends and two opposite spaced-apart channel walls which are connected together by a base wall to define a generally U-shaped cross section; and wherein said channel has an outwardly flared broad portion on at least one of said first and said second ends and an inner narrow portion; placing said lid on said foil food container to overlie said food-receiving compartment and said ledge, with said flange of said container in said generally upright position; inserting a portion of said flange in said broad portion of said channel; and moving said handheld tool along said peripheral edge of said ledge of said container with said portion of said flange inserted in said channel being moved from said broad portion of said channel towards said narrow portion said channel, to move said portion of said flange inserted in said channel from said upright position, to said folded position overlying said lid.
 11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of: moving said handheld tool along the entire peripheral edge of said ledge of said container to move the entire flange from said upright position to said folded position overlying said lid, to close said container.
 12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of: removing said tool from said container after closing said container.
 13. The method according to claim 10, wherein: said channel has an outwardly flared broad portion on both of said first and second ends.
 14. The method according to claim 10, wherein: said channel walls are parabolic-shaped and each has a vertex and wherein said channel walls curve towards each other so that said vertex of each of said channel walls are disposed opposite each other generally adjacent to the center of said channel.
 15. The method according to claim 10, wherein: said body member is generally rectangular and has first and second opposite ends and wherein said channel extends from said first end of said body member to said second end of said body member.
 16. The method according to claim 10, wherein: said body member has two opposite lateral sides and two opposite end sides and wherein said two lateral sides are concave and said two end sides are convex.
 17. The method according to claim 10, wherein: said body member has a length in the range of approximately 2.75 inches to 3.25 inches, a height of approximately 0.7 of an inch and a width in the range of approximately 1.25 inches to 1.50 inches.
 18. The method according to claim 10, wherein: said channel has a depth of approximately 0.25 of an inch.
 19. The method according to claim 10, wherein: said channel walls are disposed approximately 0.14 of an inch apart at said narrow portion and 0.5 of an inch apart at said broad portion.
 20. The method according to claim 10, wherein: said outer surface of said body member has two opposite faces and two flange-closing channels are formed in said two opposite faces.
 21. The handheld tool according to claim 1, further comprising: a second channel formed in said outer surface of said body member, wherein said body member has two opposite lateral sides and two opposite end sides and wherein said second channel extends from one of said end sides to one of said lateral sides, to form an upwardly projecting tab on a corner of said body member.
 22. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: a second channel formed in said outer surface of said body member, wherein said body member has two opposite lateral sides and two opposite end sides and wherein said second channel extends from one of said end sides to one of said lateral sides, to form an upwardly projecting tab on a corner of said body member. 